By Staff
Many of us watched the skies with caution for much of the day Thursday, sitting under tornado watches and warnings as the wind swirled and the rain poured.
So we know that the devastation that happened in Enterprise and Millers Ferry last week could have just as easily struck Brewton. Mother Nature does not discriminate.
Our hearts go out to the parents, teachers, family and friends of those students killed in Enterprise, where a tornado ripped through the high school, knocking down walls and tossing cars as if they were toys. Dozens of students were injured, and eight were killed.
In the Wilcox community of Millers Ferry, at least one person was killed and others injured.
It's easy to feel helpless as we watch what happened on the news. But there are things we can do.
W.S. Neal High School students have wasted no time rolling up their sleeves to help. The school's Ambassadors Club will be collecting donations of money and school supplies Monday at the school office. That is a great way for high school students to do something for their peers.
You can also give blood.
Because of the storms all day Thursday, several American Red Cross blood drives had to be cancelled. The Red Cross is urging people to donate at a March blood drive or at one of the 16 donor centers across the state.
You can visit the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region Web site at www.alacgc.org to find a blood drive listing. To schedule an appointment, to learn more about blood donation or to find a blood drive, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Others looking to help can call the Governor's Volunteer and Donations Information Line at 1-877-273-5018 or visit www.ServeAlabama.gov.
As our Alabama neighbors remain in our prayers, we urge folks who want to help to do what they can. It could have been us - and we believe our neighbors would have done the same for us.